Higashimuki Shopping Street
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Kintetsu-Nara Station · 1 min walk (Kintetsu Nara Line)
- Admission
- Free
- Time needed
- 20–40 min
About
Located right outside Kintetsu-Nara Station, Higashimuki Shopping Street is a bustling, covered arcade that serves as the perfect gateway to the city. It is highly worth visiting to sample local Nara delicacies like kaki no ha sushi (persimmon leaf-wrapped sushi) and to browse unique regional souvenirs. Expect a lively, weather-proof atmosphere filled with traditional craft shops, modern boutiques, and diverse eateries.
What Japanese guides note
Higashimuki Shopping Street serves as the principal pedestrian thoroughfare linking Kintetsu-Nara Station with Kōfukuji, Sarusawa Pond, and the historic Naramachi district via Mochiidono Center Gai. While the arcade passageway remains accessible at all hours, retail and specialty food merchants typically shutter between 18:00 and 19:00, leaving restaurants and izakayas open into the night. Side stairways on the eastern side provide direct uphill walking shortcuts into the grounds of Kōfukuji.
Details from local sources
- The street name Higashimuki originated 1,300 years ago when residences and shops were built only along the western side facing east because Kōfukuji temple occupied the eastern side. [source]
- The commercial district began rapid development in 1915 when the Osaka Electric Tramway line between Osaka and Nara opened and terminated at Nara Station beside the street. [source]
- Midway along the arcade, an eastern stone staircase connects to Nippon Sei Kō Kai Nara Christ Church and Shin'ai Kindergarten, a 1930 hinoki-wood complex built by a shrine carpenter and designated a National Important Cultural Property in 2015. [source]
- At the southern end where the arcade meets Sanjo-dori stands the former head office of Nanto Bank, a classical Greek Western-style structure completed in April 1926 as the Nara branch of the 68th National Bank. [source]
Insider Tip
Look for Nakatanidou near the street's southern exit to witness their famous, high-speed traditional mochi-pounding performances.
Frequently asked
How did Higashimuki Shopping Street get its name?
The name translates literally to 'east-facing'. During the Nara period, the eastern side directly bordered Kōfukuji temple's precinct. Because townspeople refrained from building structures that turned their backs toward the sacred temple grounds, buildings were placed solely along the west side facing east.
How do visitors access the arcade from Kintetsu-Nara Station?
Passengers should exit via the East Ticket Gate (Higashi Kaisatsu) inside Kintetsu-Nara Station and proceed upstairs through Exit 2. The northern covered arcade entrance begins directly beside Gyōki Fountain Square outside the station, allowing access in less than one minute on foot.
How does Higashimuki connect to other sightseeing areas in Nara?
Higashimuki arcade runs southward from Kintetsu-Nara Station until it intersects Sanjō-dōri. Crossing Sanjō-dōri immediately leads into Mochiidono Center Gai and onward into Naramachi, while turning east along Sanjō-dōri or following eastern side paths leads directly to Kōfukuji and Sarusawa Pond.
Are stores along Higashimuki Shopping Street open late?
Retail souvenir shops, traditional confectionery sellers, and craft boutiques typically close between 18:00 and 19:00. However, ramen shops, izakayas, and casual eateries remain open until 21:00 or 22:00, while the covered arcade itself functions around the clock as an illuminated pedestrian street.
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